[nextg]

I am very new to Mac OS X (macbook pro) and have no clue about the file structure of this OS. Now I need to reinstall (and format my hard disk) the OS. Is there anyway I can make couple of partition and keep all my files to one partitions and format the OS partition and re-install it again (much like windows i mean)?

Please point me to any section on the forum which has this topic discussed as I couldn't find one.

Cheers.

[Big Mac]

Welcome to Macintosh. Yes, you can reformat the drive, partition it and install OS X on the partition of your choosing. You can also create dedicated partitions for things like your home folder and the global /Applications folder, but doing those things properly requires more advanced knowledge of OS X's Unix core and the Terminal. If you have more specific questions, we can probably help you more.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by nextg 

I am very new to Mac OS X (macbook pro) and have no clue about the file structure of this OS. Now I need to reinstall (and format my hard disk) the OS. Is there anyway I can make couple of partition and keep all my files to one partitions and format the OS partition and re-install it again (much like windows i mean)?

What is the problem you are trying to solve? It's most unlikely that you need to reformat.

[nextg]

Thanks guys.

I've been using my MacBook Pro for about 6 months and I couldn't be happier with its performance. But recently it became very slow. Well, I installed a lot of memory consuming programs which initially worked really well (I mean fast). So I though it may help to reinstall everything from the scratch again.

Also, a bigger problem I am having is that the left speaker side of my MacBook Pro becomes extremely hot and the fan has become a bit noisy too. Is it because I keep it running all the time?

[MacTheRiverRat]

deleted all that

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by MacTheRiverRat 

5) Run Disk Repair - Boot from your restore/install disc and run a Volume/Disk repair on your startup disk.

7) File System Check - When booting up your computer hold down the Apple Key & the S key and it will boot into single user mode. When the text is done loading on the screen type in /sbin/fsck -f and hit enter.

I have to wonder at the expertise of someone who doesn't know that those two points of advice do exactly the same thing.

Originally Posted by MacTheRiverRat 

8) Reset Nonvolatile Firmware - When booting, hold down Command-Option-O-F and wait for the command prompt
. Type "reset-nvram" and hit enter.

This hasn't been possible for at least two and a half years - Intel Macs don't HAVE Open Firmware.

Originally Posted by MacTheRiverRat 

Here the link for the above text. Sorry Macnn but i don't see anything like this in your forums
http://tinyurl.com/5q4j5k

That's because it's outdated and because decent troubleshooting is usually in reference to the actual problem at hand.

[nextg]

Well I am confused now. If the above doesn't work and backdated then can someone please tell me the latest procedure

[MacTheRiverRat]

Oop's show you have far behind I am.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by nextg 

I am very new to Mac OS X (macbook pro) and have no clue about the file structure of this OS. Now I need to reinstall (and format my hard disk) the OS. Is there anyway I can make couple of partition and keep all my files to one partitions and format the OS partition and re-install it again (much like windows i mean)?

Please point me to any section on the forum which has this topic discussed as I couldn't find one.

Cheers.

Don't bother partitioning.

If your system ever does get corrupted, you can install a completely fresh system using the "archive and install" option from the installer disk.

This will leave ALL your data and applications intact.


Leave everything at default settings, make sure that you ALWAYS keep a backup of your data (just use Time Machine), and don't worry about the system.

You're on a Macintosh now.

More reading on partitioning: http://forums.macnn.com/57/consumer-...nternal-drive/

[Gavin]

Originally Posted by nextg 

... So I though it may help to reinstall everything from the scratch again.

It's very unusual to need to do that with a Mac. In most cases simply restarting the computer will fix weird problems. Reinstalling the OS is something you might do if lots of programs are crashing constantly or you get crazy inconsistent behavior that persists after a restart. As has been said, the "archive and install" option is the way to go if you really need to do this; it leaves your personal files alone and replaces the OS with a fresh copy.

Also, a bigger problem I am having is that the left speaker side of my MacBook Pro becomes extremely hot and the fan has become a bit noisy too. Is it because I keep it running all the time?

That is the processor getting hot because it is under heavy use. So I'd guess your problem is that some software is behaving badly and running hard for no good reason. Just leaving it sitting should not make it so hot that the fan kicks in.

There is a utility program to see what is eating the processor. In /Applications/Utilities look for Activity Monitor. Sort it by the CPU column and that may give you a clue as to what is going on. It could be as simple as quitting something.

Also in the Utilities folder is Disk Utility, use it to check for and fix disk problems - using the verify and repair buttons. And if you really want to partition the disk this is also the program that does that. It's not too hard to figure out.

Have fun.

[red rocket]

Originally Posted by Gavin

Also in the Utilities folder is Disk Utility, use it to check for and fix disk problems - using the verify and repair buttons.

The ‘Repair’ button being vastly more useful, mind.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by red rocket 

The ‘Repair’ button being vastly more useful, mind.

Doesn't "Repair" do a "Verify" first? Whereas "Verify" just looks for problems, "Repair" looks for them, finds them, and fixes them.

[tooki]

Correct.